Women’s Soccer | Hungry for More
Stephanie Mamakas
9/17/2021
Following an unprecedented 2020-21 spring season and a brief break this summer, Rutgers women’s soccer has burst into fall 2021 with high scoring victories and sturdy defense. With a core group of veterans and an immediate impact from newcomers, the Scarlet Knights have carried the momentum off the short turnaround.
“We didn't really have an offseason. It's kind of like we had a break and then we started again. With a few new players and a lot of the same seniors from last year. That’s helped our chemistry a lot,” said sophomore midfielder Becci Fluchel.
“We’ve been so close, we've had so much time together. We all have the same common goal to be a champion. We always say a ring chasing every day. Having that common goal creates a team mentality to do our best every single game. That's what we've been trying to do.”
The return of 20 letterwinners, 12 starters, an All-American, two All-Region and six All-Big Ten selections from a year ago. The addition of eight newcomers, including a top 10 ranked recruiting class for the second straight season and an All-American transfer. The group has combined to form a roster with incredible depth boosted by a dangerous attack and an unparalleled backline.
Together as a family, the chase for Big Ten and National titles begins with right from the start of nonconference play. A slate of games the Scarlet Knights did not have in the spring, as the shorten schedule saw the 2020 campaign kickoff straight into Big Ten matchups.
“Having these nonconference games, compared to last year, has been a really good start. It prepares us for Big Ten play. Last year going into conference games was a little rough for us. I think we handled it really well though. These first games show us a little about ourselves, how we like to play, how we want to play and how we all have the game plan. The execution part is a big piece of it now, leading into Big Ten games,” said Kroeger.
In addition to getting back to the usual schedule structure of nonconference tune ups before entering conference action, fans have also returned to the stands at Yurcak Field. A welcomed return of energy and support for the Scarlet Knights.
“I'm a sophomore and I had never played in front of fans. It's been a really fun experience to be able to have not just family, but also friends and younger kids that look up to us there. It really makes me proud to be able to play in front of everybody, especially being from New Jersey,” said Fluchel.
Backed by the crowd at Yurcak Field, the Rutgers offense came alive early in the year, registering a program-record four straight games of five or more goals. The streak broke a span of three straight games with five or more tallies in 1984, the program’s inaugural year. Not only had RU match its entire goal total from a year ago by its fourth game this season, a total of 16 different Scarlet Knights have contributed at least a goal or assist so far.
“You never know who is going to score. It doesn't matter who scores, who puts ball in the back of the net. We're unpredictable in those moments. We just have to capitalize our on all of our chances,” said Kroeger.
The Scarlet Knights have outscored their opponents 29-6 to start 2021. Defensively, the team has held all seven opponents to single-digit shots on goal, extending a streak of 35 straight opponents held to single-digit shots on goal dating back to 2019. Despite two setbacks on the schedule, the Scarlet Knight backline is a constant struggle for the opposition.
“Soccer can be a cruel sport. You can be the better team, you can dominate the game, but still you can give up goals, you can miss your shots and in the end, end up not winning. That’s what we need to focus on more because we know we're a good team and we can play. We need to figure out how to make those results show,” said Fluchel.
Rutgers bounced back for its fourth shutout of the season to close out nonconference play with an overall record of 5-2. The team regenerated its scoring offense with a 4-0 win over Drexel to cap the opening portion of its schedule. An offense that leads the Big Ten in points, goals, and assists heading into conference play.
“It felt really good to finish the nonconference games with a strong win and a lot of goals. Our performance against Drexel is exactly what we needed to get us back on track to go into the Big Ten games with confidence, and to win every game one at a time to ultimately reach one of our goals of winning the conference,” said Fluchel.
“We need all the energy we can get, especially starting Big Ten now. Performance matters, and having another multi-goal win right before Big Ten is great. We need to continue to have multi-goal wins and shutouts in order to get results we want," said Kroeger.
The Scarlet Knights aim to carry this momentum and continue to build off successes of recent years. RU has finished in the top three of the Big Ten for three straight seasons, finishing as runner-up for the regular season title in 2018 and 2019.
The program has qualified for seven straight Big Ten Tournaments, including appearances in four semifinals and two championship contests during that span. The team has earned a bid to nine straight NCAA Tournaments, advancing to the second round in five of those runs and to the Final Four in 2015.
Last year, RU advanced to its second straight Big Ten Semifinal and pushed to the NCAA Second Round for the first time since 2017. This year, RU is seeing its pursuit for excellence coming to fruition early.
“It was definitely a really good feeling coming out and scoring all those goals. Last year we are an amazing team, but we did struggle to score goals, that was our weakness. This year we've been scoring, and we need to continue it. We also need to keep clean sheets. That's going to be the most important thing for us to be successful this year,” said Fluchel.
“I'm really excited to get into conference play. I know the team is really excited. We didn't have the result last year that we wanted but I think that that's our fuel and motivation to go further in Big Ten’s and NCAA’s. We've been really excited for this next opportunity since last year,” said Kroeger.
This 2021 squad has the talent, depth, leadership to reach their goals but, most importantly, they have the mindset.
“We always say be great before practices and games. We focus on what we're playing for, what we want. I think we’re good every year, but the difference is going to be getting the results we have come so close to. When its overtime, how to score that extra goal. When its penalties, how to win those penalties. Having that extra grit and having the ruthlessness to finish games strong and show everybody how good we are,” said Fluchel.
The Scarlet Knights will use that extra grit and drive to Be G.R.E.A.T., an acronym the team has for on and off the field. A driving force to break through the door they continue to knock on each season. An added boost on the consistent mentality to go that next step into greatness.
“Our mentality has changed a little bit. We say every practice that we're ring chasing. That has a big impact on how we want to play. How we want to score more goals and give up none. That mentality to be great is preparing us for Big Ten’s. It's been a big part of our play during the nonconference games and we want to keep going for more. We're hungry for more,” said Kroeger.
Rutgers is set for its Big Ten opener on Sunday, Sept. 19 against Penn State at Yurcak Field. The match is set for a 12 p.m. ET start live on Big Ten Network. Admission and parking is free and fans are encouraged to wear black.
